The Indianapolis journal., 1887-07-05
MRS. BROOKs's REMARKABLE STORY.
Decoyed from Home and Kept Prisoner by
Lawyer ShOeman of Indiana.
81 East Washinqton St.

VAssAR Mich, July 4.-Mrs. Brooks, wife of
the prominent farmer at Juniata, near here. has
arrived home after an absence of several months,
and tells q remarkable story of her imprison-
ment and torture oy designing persons. who, she
says, sought to get her fortune. The first ink
ling Mr. Brooks had of the true state of affairs
was about four weeks ago, when he received q
letter from his wife from Boston, which had
been written in Colorado and sent to Boston for
mailing. This the first time Mrs. Brooks
was enabled to elude the vigilance of her captors
to get word to her friends. This was telegraphed
over the country, and the persons having her in
custody, despairing of worrying her fortune from
her. set her free. and she lost no time in getting
home This is the story she told your
spondent to-day:
Twenty two years ago l was engaged to be
married to Marcus Vandore. He entered the
army and was wounded, came home and died.
He possessed of a competency, but just be-
fore his death this property was increased by
large legacy from France. Marcus de-
sceniant of Count Vandore French nobeman.
This legacy was all in cash and bonds. Before
his death Vandore made will bequeathing me
$500, 900. The instrument drawn by
Lawyer Shoeman, of Indiana. 1t was not until
several years later that became apprised of the
nature of the will, and then married to
Mr.. Brooks. When l spoke of proving my claim.
nv husband grew indignant and declared that
might take my lovers money and GO The
trouble over this money was the only cloud that
came into our married life, and for fourteen
years 1 nursed the knowledge that was an
heiress. without money, in my own breast.
Then came letter from lawyer stating
that the money lying idle and l shonld
claim it. It was in the custody of Anna Van
dore, Marcuss sister. Later met, and then
entered into correspondence, which was kept
up until Miss Vandore returned to France. Be-
fore she left an understanding was reached that
i should have the money whenever | claimed it.
and to prevent fraud We agreed upon a secret
mark to attach to all checks and drafts. Last
August a letter came asking me to meet her at
ST. Louis | went, but instead of meeting her,
Lawyer Shoeman appeared on the scene, and
gave draft for $50 000 together with $40, 900
costs. / then went to Denver, and shortly
after received note asking me to meet Miss
Vandore at Pueblo. / went there and again
Shoeman appeared telling me that Miss
Vandore was dying. / tainted, and when
gained consciousness found myself prisoner.
Il shut I'D alone in a room and was al
lowed to one for several weeks. Twice
day, however. l was fed by woman. The draft
and cash I had secreted in my hustle, but my
jailers secured it. In that awful place, shut out
from all womaniy companionship. deprived of
all care and attention so greatly needed. my
babe was born" Here Mrs Brookss means and
sobs ptiful. Continuing, she said: ''They
killed nv babe before my very eyes
1.-Two weeks ago man, who said he was q de-
tective, came into my aoom and said was free
to 60, that he had just found out where
He explained the delay by saying that the man
who kept me a prisoner said was his crazy SIS
ter. OF the tortures to which subjected
look here, and Mrs. Brooks held up her thumbs
to view, showing whore she had been tied up by
them. Her finger ends, too, showed whore
attempt had been made to draw the nails with
pinchers-
when had recovered sufficiently" she con-
tinued, II went to San Francisco and there met
Anna Butterfed my cousin. Together
started east. but becoming suspicious that she
was in the conspiracy against my liberty, l
slipped out of the car one night. taking with me
her hat dress. pocketbook and ticket. l waited
until the next train and then proceeded on my
journey"
Mrs. Brooks shows the booty taken from Miss
Butterfeld evidence that she is telling the
truth. She positively asserts that she never
was in Riverside, Cal, but shows a photograph
of Miss Butterield in that place, and the resem-
bance between the two is striking. Mr.. Brooks
says be has no doubt as to the truth of his wifes
story. and he firmly believes her reported i'm
prisonment The couple appear to be fond of
each other aud there is nothing sentimental
about either. Mrs. Brooks looks careworn and
haggard, and her pecuharities were rendered re-
markably striking she told the story of her
wanderings Occasionally she would hesitate
and fater, then break out in torrent of weep
ing that was most affecting.